MANUSCRIPT

[ James Morier, author of 'Hajji Baba of Ispahan'. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Morier') to 'Captn. Roberts', inviting him to dinner with 'Parkes'.

Author: 
James Morier [ James Justinian Morier ] (1780-1849), author of 'The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan' [ Daniel Roberts (1789-1869), Royal Navy officer, member of Pisan Circle of Byron and Shelley ]
Publication details: 
No date and place, only 'Thursday', but annotated 'Castellamare | 1830'.
£45.00

1p., 16mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Anotated in pencil 'From Mr. Morier' and 'Castellamare | 1830'. Addressed to 'Dear Roberts'. Begins: 'If you are a good fellow do come and dine with us today at 3. I know it is short notice, but our table holds only a certain number.' Also asks him to join a party to visit Pompeii the following Friday, which also includes 'Parkes who dines here'.

[ United States Postal Service. ] Folder of 35 printed publicity items, including 22 issues of the 'Philatelic Release' of the 'Information Service | Post Office Department', posters for postmasters' bulletin boards,

Author: 
[ United States Postal Service ]
Publication details: 
United States Postal Service, Washington, D.C. Dating from between 1960 and 1966.
£220.00

The collection of 37 items (35 publicity items and two cables) is in good condition, in a blue card folder. The following description is divided into seven parts. ONE: 22 issues of the 'Philatelic Release' of the 'information Service | Post Office Department', dating from between 22 October 1965 and 11 June 1966. Totalling 51pp., 8vo. An incomplete run. Giving information relating to the new releases of stamps, including 'the John F.

[ Sir Emile Littler, theatrical impressario. ] Typed Letter Signed to film pioneer Percy Nash, declining his musical 'Love's Strategy'. With a carbon copy of Nash's letter to Littler.

Author: 
Sir Emile Littler [ born Emile Richeux ] (1903-1985), English theatrical impressario [ Percy Nash [ Percy Cromwell Nash ] (1869-1958), pioneering British film director and dramatist ]
Publication details: 
On Littler's letterhead, 31 St Martin's Lane, London. 29 May 1948.
£65.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, with light signs of age. Addressed to 'My dear Percy' and headed 'Love's Strategy'. Regarding the play (which was based on Goldsmith's 'She Stoops to Conquer') Littler writes: 'I don't think the idea appeals to me very much, and I am not going to do any more productions in the West End until after Christmas.' He gives his phone number, writing that he would 'be very pleased to see you or have a word with you'. In the carbon of Nash's letter (dated 27 May 1948) he writes that he has 'not messed about with the Author.

[ Sophie Tucker, American entertainer. ] Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Sophie Tucker [ born Sonya Kalish ] (1887-1966), 'The Last of the Red Hot Mamas', Ukrainian-born American singer, comedian, actress, and radio personality
Publication details: 
No place. 1936.
£23.00

On 6.5 x 12 piece of ruled paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads 'With Compliments Sophie Tucker 1936'.

[ Gerrit, Count Schimmelpenninck. ] Autograph Signature ('Count Schimmelpenninck') as frank, addressed to 'Baron Willoughby de Eresby | Lord Chamberlain of England'.

Author: 
Gerrit, Count Schimmelpenninck (1794-1863), Dutch statesman [ Peter Robert Drummond-Burrell, 2nd Baron Gwydyr, 22nd Baron Willoughby de Eresby (1782-1865), Lord Great Chamberlain of England ]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [ London, between 1846 and 1852. ]
£45.00

The signature is part of a frank, and is on an 8 x 13 cm piece of grey paper cut from the front of an envelope. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'To/ | His Lordship | Baron Willoughby de Eresby | Lord Chamberlain of England | &c &c | 142 Piccadilly | Count Schimmelpenninck'. Schimmelpenninck was Dutch envoy in London between 1846 and 1852.

[ Eric Linklater, Welsh novelist. ] Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Eric Linklater [ Eric Robert Russell Linklater ] (1899-1974), Welsh novelist
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£23.00

On 12.5 x 9 cm piece of cream paper. In good condition, with light signs of age. Boldly written and underlined, at the top of the page, reading 'Eric Linklater.' No other writing on either side of the leaf.

[ George Bancroft, American historian. ] Autograph signature ('G Bancroft').

Author: 
George Bancroft (1800-1891), American historian and Democratic Party statesman, 17th United States Secretary of the Navy
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£30.00

On 4.5 x 13 cm piece of paper, cut from a letter. In fair condition, on aged paper, with slight damage (not affecting signature) at outer edges caused by removal from album. Reads: 'Yrs truly | G Bancroft'.

[ Augustine Brohan, French actress of the Comédie-Française. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Augustine Brohan') to an unnamed recipient ('ma bien chère demoiselle')

Author: 
Augustine Brohan [ Joséphine-Félicité-Augustine Brohan ] (1824-1893), actress of the the Comédie-Française, mistress of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte [ Napoleon III ], with fashionable Paris salon
Publication details: 
Ville d'Avray. 31 April [ no year ].
£80.00

1p., 16mo. Eleven lines of text. On aged and worn paper, with central closed tears unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. A warm letter of thanks, with valediction 'Mille choses affectueuses à tous les vôtres'.

[ Edward Fitzball, English playwright. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('E. Fitzball.') [ to Charles Kean ], requesting a box for a performance of King Lear [ at the Princess's Theatre ].

Author: 
Edward Fitzball (1792-1873), English playwright [ Charles Kean (1811-1868), English actor, born in Ireland; Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre manager and historian ]
Publication details: 
9 Upper Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy Square [ London ]. 18 May 1858.
£45.00

1p., 16mo. In fair condition, on aged paper, laid down on damaged leaf from album. At head, in another hand: 'for Saturday'. Reads: 'My dear Sir: | I shd. feel greatly obliged if you could without inconvenience to yr interest, give me a box, any night this week, to see King Lear.' At head is note in another hand (see below): 'for Saturday'. From the collection of Macqueen-Pope, who has written at the foot of the leaf on which the letter is mounted: 'To Chas Kean Princess's Theatre | Note at top, either by CK or Massingham the boxoffice m[ana]g[e]r.'

[ The Gaiety Theatre, Aldwych, London. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed from H. Hugh Harvey to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope, reminiscing about 'theatrical matters' andn in particular the Gaiety Theatre.

Author: 
H. Hugh Harvey, English musicologist and broadcaster [ The Gaiety Theatre, Aldwych, London; Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre manager and historian ]
Publication details: 
Both on his letterhead, 24 Wessex Gardens, Golder Green, NW11 [ London ]. 12 and 16 January 1950.
£100.00

Both in good condition, on aged paper. ONE: 2pp., 4to. He reminds Macqueen-Pope that two years previously he was 'kind enough to receive me at your Office and, after a long and most interesting chat on things theatrical (over an hour, as I recall!) you wrote into my copies of your "Drury Lane" and "Carriages at Eleven" two very greatly appreciated inscriptions, by way of friendship'. He now has his 'delightful "Gaiety" and splendid 'Haymarket", and asks for 'another pow-wow' at 359 Strand.

[ Lord Henry Bentinck. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Henry Bentinck').

Author: 
Lord Henry Bentinck [ Lord Henry William Scott-Bentinck ] (1804-1870), Conservative statesman
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£23.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Good firm signature. Written in response to a request for an autograph, and reading 'if you wish | Your's sincerely | Henry Bentinck'.

[ Dr Hugh Wynne of Tynllwydan. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Hugh Wynne') to his a brother cleric, regarding his indisposition, and making Good ye. service I intended you'.

Author: 
Dr Hugh Wynne (d.1754) of Tynllwydan in Wales, Chancellor of Bangor, Prebendary of St Paul's and Sarum Cathedrals and Rector of Aberffraw and Trefdraeth
Publication details: 
Tynllwydan [ Wales ]. 17 May <1709>.
£120.00

On one side of an 11.5 x 15 cm piece of paper. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, but trimmed at foot, cropping the lower part of signature and year. He is 'concern'd to hear' of his brother's illness, and would have visited him, had he not himself been labouring under a 'fit of ye cold since my retun to ye Country'. He intends to go to Llanfochell at the end of the week, and to send one of his curates to 'make Good yr. service I intended you in my own person'.

[ C. B. Cochran, theatre impressario. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Chas B. Cochran') to 'dear Popey' [ theatre historian Macqueen-Pope ]

Author: 
C. B. Cochran [ Sir Charles Blake Cochran ] (1872-1951), English theatre impressario [ Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian; Edward John Henley (1864-1921), actor ]
Publication details: 
On his Old Bond Street letterhead. 30 November 1949.
£56.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged. He begins by thanking Macqueen-Pope for a 'kindly reference' to him in his 'admirable book about The Gaiety'. He has noted a reference to 'Henly' in the index, and identifies this figure as Edward John Henley, brother of William Ernest Henley, whose poem 'Ballade of Dead Actors' he transcribes. He explains that Henley stayed some time in America after going there with a production of 'Deacon Brodie', a play by his brother and R. L. Stevenson, 'and, in 1897, I made my first production, "John Gabriel Borkman," in New York, with E. J.

[ William Maginn, Irish journalist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W M.') to the editor of a journal, regarding 'a poem by a friend of mine' (said to be 'Lockharts Greek Bubble').

Author: 
William Maginn [ 'Dr. Maginn' ] (1794-1842), Irish Tory journalist, a noted contributor to Blackwood's Magazine and Bentley's Miscellany
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [ London? Circa 1826? ]
£80.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Another hand - presumably that of the recipient - has written the word 'Printer' at the head of the page, and docketted the reverse 'Maginn | with Lockharts Greek Bubble' (the anonymous poem 'The Greek Bubble', published in 1826, is in fact said to be the work of J. Thompson). The letter reads: 'Dear Sir | Inclosed is a review of a poem by a friend of mine, who I believe is an acquaintance of yours. If you could make room for it tomorrow, you would much oblige me. Arrange the review yr. own way.

[ Sidney Morgan, English film director ] Autograph Letter Signed to fellow film-director Percy Nash, regarding the British Association of Film Directors and the 'great fight to obtain The Quota'.

Author: 
Sidney Morgan (1874-1946), English film director, who acted for Alfred Hitchcock [ [ Percy Nash [ Percy Cromwell Nash ] (1869-1958), film director and dramatist; Cinematograph Films Act of 1927 ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the British Association of Film Directors, The Players Club, Denman Street, London. 30 May 1927.
£90.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Nash is named on the letterhead as the Association's president, and Morgan as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. The letter begins: Dear Percy / | For various reasons we did not get a largely attended meeting on Friday, but the better feeling between members seems still to grow.' Nash's 'protracted illness' has clearly necessitated his stepping down as president, and '[a]fter considerable discussion it was decided to ask Pearson & Elvey [i.e. George Pearson (1875-1973) and Maurice Elvey (1887-1967)] to be President & Vice with myself to continue'.

[ MIles Malleson, film actor and dramatist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Miles Malleson') to Kenneth Sephton, regarding his work as a playwright.

Author: 
Miles Malleson [ William Miles Malleson ] (1888-1969), English film actor and dramatist
Publication details: 
135 Harley Street, W1 [ London ]. 3 May 1960.
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for his 'most generous & warming letter' about his 1927 comedy 'The Fanatics'. He has not answered sooner as he was 'suddenly caught up in some very hectic & engrossing rehearsals for "Rhinoceros" at the Court Theatre'.

[ Oxford Women's Colleges in the late Victorian period. ] Four numbers of 'The Fritillary', a magazine for the Oxford women's colleges, edited by future novelist D. K. Broster.

Author: 
D. K. Broster [ Dorothy Kathleen Broster ] (1877-1950), editor of 'The Fritllary' magazine for Oxford Women's Colleges
Publication details: 
Oxford. No. 3: December 1894. No. 4: March 1895. No. 6: December 1895. No. 14: June 1898. The first three numbers 'Printed for the Proprietors by Alden & Company, Ltd., Bocardo Press', the last printed 'by James Parker & Co., Crown Yard'.
£220.00

All four numbers in good condition, in original grey printed wraps. Totalling 79pp. (No. 3 paginated 23-46; No. 4 paginated 47-66; No. 6 paginated 85-108; No. 14 paginated 221-231). Broster is named as editor of the last number, the others giving no information.. For more on the magazine, see Kristin Ewins, 'A History of Fritillary: A Magazine of the Oxford Women's Colleges, 1894–1931', Notes & Queries, 2008.

[ C. Aubrey Smith, Hollywood actor and test cricketer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('C. Aubrey . . S.') to 'George'

Author: 
C. Aubrey Smith [ Sir Charles Aubrey Smith ] (1863-1948), English stage and film actor and test cricketer
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 'The Round Corner', 2881 Coldwater Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills. 22 July 1943.
£35.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He thanks him for thinking of his birthday, and taking the trouble 'to bring me that sherry'. He has not yet sampled it, as 'it's a bit too hot for anything but water, just at present'. He will telephone him, as he doesn't 'feel cocksure' about his address. He ends with regards to 'Mrs George'. In pencil in another hand at head: 'Here it is, George | C.A.S.'

[ Anna Lee, Hollywood actress. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Anna Lee') to'Ken' [ Sephton ], discussing a number of topics including her charity the Royal Oak Foundation of California and her work on the soap opera 'General Hospital'.

Author: 
Anna Lee [ Joan Boniface Winnifrith ] (1913-2004), British-American Hollywood actress, associated with the director John Ford
Publication details: 
1240 North Doheny Drive, Los Angeles, California 90069. 28 April 1981.
£120.00

2pp., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight wear at head of second leaf. She begins: 'I always love to receive a letter from England, especially at this time of year when I become especially homesick, thinking of April at home with the bluebells and the primroses out! Your description of the forget-me-nots, tulips, fruit-blossm etc . . .

[ Brian Aherne, British Hollywood actor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Brian Aherne') to 'Mr. Cathrey', regarding an invitation to take part in a cricket match.

Author: 
Brian Aherne [ William Brian de Lacy Aherne ] (1902-1986), British Hollywood actor
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 703 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California. 27 May 1942.
£25.00

1p., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He has 'not played cricket for twenty years, so you had better not count on me!' He will 'try to turn up as a spectator', and if Cathrey will send him a card, he will make 'a special effort to do so at Mesa, whichh I have visited several times'.

[ Bryan Forbes, film director. ] Autograph Card Signed to Ken Sephton, regarding a letter and its 'nostalgic reference'.

Author: 
Bryan Forbes [ John Theobald Clarke ] (1926-2013), English film director
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£25.00

In blue ink on one side of a 10 x 16 cm piece of white card with Forbes's name printed at the head. In very good condition. He thanks him for the 'kind and interesting letter': 'I particularly liked your nostalgic reference to snak where I had many a meal "on the slate"!'

[ Lord Harmsworth, press baron. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Alfred Harmsworth') to 'Mr. Fisher', explaining that he cannot attend a meeting as he has to 'attend to my newspapers all day long'.

Author: 
Lord Northcliffe [ Alfred Charles William Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe (1865-1922) ], press baron, owner of the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Daily Mail, Temple, E.C. [ London ] 29 November 1898.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'Dear Mr. Fisher | I am so sorry I cannot attend the meeting. Unfortunately, I am absolutely obliged to attend to my newspapers all day long. | Yours faithfully | Alfred Harmsworth'. The Daily Mail was little more than two years old at the time of this note.

[ King Ferdinand II of Naples. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Ferdinando'), in Italian, to a nephew ('Carissimo Nipote').

Author: 
King Ferdinand II of Naples [ Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies ] (1810-1859), Bourbon monarch
Publication details: 
Place not stated. With docketed date 1850.
£50.00

2pp., 12mo. Fifteen lines of text. In fair condition, on aged paper. The second leaf of the bifolium is docketed, and has a small burn hole to it, but the leaf with the king's autograph on it is undamaged. Written during his exile following the revolution of 1848. Contains a reference to 'la Cujina Luisa' [María Luisa Fernanda de Borbón].

[ Laura Theresa Alma-Tadema, artist. ] Autograph Signature ('Laura. T. Alma Tadema').

Author: 
Laura Theresa Alma-Tadema [née Epps] (1852-1909), artist, wife of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912), Anglo-Dutch painter
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£28.00

On 3 x 11 cm piece of thin card, cut from conclusion to a letter. In fair condition, aged and with traces of mount to two corners (not affecting signature). Reads: 'Yours sincerely | Laura. T. Alma Tadema'. Text on reverse: '[...] with us, I should be so pleased if you would join us - [...]'.

[ Linley Sambourne. ] Large printed 'Memorial Card', carrying engraving of 'the Liberal Monument to Mr. Gladstone erected within the Palace of Westminster'.

Author: 
Linley Sambourne [ Edward Linley Sambourne ] (1844-1910), English cartoonist and illustrator who worked with Punch [ William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), Liberal Prime Minister ]
Sambourne
Publication details: 
Without date or place. 'Linley Sambourne invt et delt V & C'.
£85.00
Sambourne

Printed in black on one side of a 19 x 29 cm piece of stiff card, with rounded corners. In fair condition, lightly-aged, with 4cm vertical closed tear at head. The memorial to a stern-faced Gladstone is depicted - a setting sun blazing behind it - between two mythical seated women, Justice on the right, and a hooded woman with a hand mirror on the left. In the background are the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. The card is made out in manuscript to 'Edward C Young' (with '186357' at foot), and the caption at the foot reads: 'This Memorial Card was issued to [ Edward C Young.

[ Dame Nellie Melba, opera singer. ] Autograph Signature ('Nellie Melba').

Author: 
Dame Nellie Melba (1861-1931), Australian operatic soprano
Publication details: 
Date and place not stated.
£35.00

On 6 x 14 cm piece of paper torn from letter. In good condition, lightly-aged. Cut from the valediction to a letter and reads: 'from Yrs most sincerely | Nellie Melba'.

[ George Baker, connoisseur. ] Part of Autograph Letter Signed ('Geoe. Baker'), to his bookseller, regarding a set off periodicals.

Author: 
George Baker (1747-1811) of St Paul's Churchyard, connoisseur
Publication details: 
'No. 2 St Paul's Ch. Yard'. No year.
£100.00

On 8.5 x 16.5 piece of paper, cut from the conclusion to a letter. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, laid down on a larger piece. He asks the recipient to 'make these Numbers perfect from the Waste', and gives instructions in case it cannot be done. For more about Baker see his obituary in the Gentleman's Magazine, February 1811.

[ Board of the Inland Revenue, Excise Department, London.] Late-Victorian Manuscript Notebook, compiled by several parties, with sections of questions and definitions, and others treating allowances, 'Liverpool Allowances' and 'Quarantine Practice'.

Author: 
A. C. Collyer [ Board of the Inland Revenue, Excise Department, London ]
Publication details: 
[ Board of the Inland Revenue, Excise Department, London. Circa 1891. ]
£400.00

169pp., 12mo. Covering the whole of a ruled notebook in black waxed cloth binding. In fair condition, aged and worn, in like binding with some damage to spine. Ownership signature of 'A. C. Collyer' on front free endpaper, with the word 'Notes' written under it, and beneath that a seal (hand holding a sword) in red wax. The notebook has been compiled by at least three different parties (with a couple of notes in shorthand), and is certainly the work of instructors rather than students, possibly Scottish.

[ Pamphlet. ] The Commune of Paris. [ Its Story and Meaning. ]

Author: 
[ James Leatham ]
Publication details: 
[ London: Twentieth Century Press. 1890. ]
£35.00

16pp., 12mo. Disbound without covers. In good condition, on aged paper. Drophead title. The cover carried the author's name, publication details, and the full title: 'The Commune of Paris: Its Story and Meaning'. Scarce

[ Laurence Hyde, 1st Earl of Rochester, and Sir John Ernle. ] Signatures of 'Rochester' and 'J Ernle', cut from a treasury document.

Author: 
Laurence Hyde (1642-1711), 1st Earl of Rochester, statesman, Lord High Treasurer and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland [ Sir John Ernle (1620-1697), Chancellor off the Exchequer, 1676-1689 ]
Publication details: 
Date and place not stated.
£90.00

On rectangle of laid paper, roughly 4 x 7 cm. In good condition, lightly-aged paper with one vertical fold. Good firm signatures, wih Rochester's above Ernle's. Writing on reverse relates to Sir Thomas Vernon and the payment of an order.

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